Okinawan Kobudo

Okinawan Kobudo (Ancient Weapon Arts) is the study of so called "karate weapons". This system of Kobudo has been handed down from the late Sensei Shinpo Matayoshi who was considered the highest authority on Okinawan weapons in the world.

His successor is Sensei Yoshiaki Gakiya. The Okinawan people developed a system of self defense using farming and fishing implements. This rare ancient practice has developed into the beautiful art form known as Kobudo.

Weapons of Okinawan Kobudo

The following is a list of the most important weapons taught today in the OKINAWA KOBUDO DOUSHI Rensei-kai system. The practice of some of these weapons is limited to certain rank or seniority of the practitioners within the system. Bo, Sai, Tonfa, Nunchaku, Ieku, Nunti, Kama, Tekko, Tinbei, Sansetsukon, Kuwa, Suruchin.

E-mail Bill Martin Sensei for more information

Gakiya Yoshiaki Sensei was born February 8, 1950 in Yomitan Ouki Okinawa. He completed his military service and learned Jiuken-do there.

     Gakiya Sensei began his martial arts training in 1967 with Fukuchi Seiko Sensei in Goju-ryu Karate.

     He began the study of Kobudo in 1975 at the famous Kodokan dojo with Matayoshi Shinpo Sensei. Gakiya Sensei was awarded his teaching certificate in Kobudo on February 21, 1980 from Matayoshi Sensei and the Zen Okinawan Kobudo Federation. Gakiya Sensei also studied Kobayashi Shorin-ryu with Nakamura Yoshio since 1980.

     On June 8, 1997, Gakiya Sensei received his hachi-dan (8th dan) in Kobudo. Gakiya Sensei achieved the status of head teacher at the Kodokan dojo and was appointed Kodokan Kancho by the Matayoshis after Matayoshi sensei's death. Gakiya Sensei was the closest collaborator of Matayoshi Sensei for more than 20 years. In July 2001, he retired from his position at the Kodokan dojo.

     On January 1, 2002, Gakiya Sensei formed his own organization, the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai. The OKDR is devoted to the study and preservation of this treasured art of Kobudo. Gakiya Sensei serves as President of the Okinawa Kobudo Doushi Rensei-kai and has branch divisions in America, Australia, Italy, Germany, Belgium, Argentina, Portugal, England, Okinawa, Japan and other countries. Currently, Gakiya Sensei only practices Kobudo and dedicates his time to the study and growth of Okinawan Kobudo.

     Gakiya Sensei's senior representative in the United States is Neil Stolsmark. Sensei Stolsmark was appointed the position of Shibu-cho (branch division head) and received his 6th dan from Gakiya Sensei and the OKDR while on a training visit to Okinawa in May of 2002.

The meaning and spirit of TRADITIONAL KARATE comes from the history of the Island of Okinawa, Japan - the birthplace of Karate. The roots of Karate were brought to Okinawa by Masters that traveled to China to learn the Martial Arts. It is believed that a Buddhist Priest, Bodhidharma, developed the first self-defense techniques within the walls of the monastery in China. In this quiet, meditative atmosphere, Karate became a way of life, a spiritual discipline, with a code of honor. Fundamental to this code of honor, non-violence and respect are central to the teaching found at the Authentic Ancient Arts Karate and Kobudo Studios.

THE ART OF KARATE was developed from a combination of southern Chinese martial arts and the native Okinawan art of Te. The word karate is derived from two characters which mean empty and hand; therefore, karate can be translated as the art of the empty hand. The style of karate taught at the Authentic Ancient Arts dojo is Okinawan Shorin-ryu.

SHORIN-RYU is one of the two original karate styles formally systematized in Okinawa and considered by some to have had the most influential impact on the development of all modern karate systems.